brought the geological papers, the maps, the description of the barns and outbuildings used by Madeline Santerre. What gives that you’re having second thoughts about it?”
“I met Caitlin Santerre and she’s asked me to sell part of the property back to her. I’m dragging my feet to see if you find oil.”
“Why would you want to consider selling, oil or no oil? We’ve talked about the possibilities of oil on that land and we’ve already started drilling.”
“We’d retain all mineral, wind and water rights.”
“And she would agree to that and still want to buy back part of it?”
“Yep. She wants it for sentimental reasons and to take care of the elderly crew who have worked there.”
“Sentimental reasons? You believe that? A sentimental Santerre?”
“This isn’t Will. I’ve found a Santerre who is not like Will at all. I always heard the Grandmother wasn’t like her son or grandson. Let’s go to the study where we can be comfortable.”
“Sure,” Gabe said, holding the door and following Jake inside.
“Actually, Will sold it without telling her. They’ve never gotten along.”
“Caitlin Santerre is Titus Santerre’s daughter. I’ve always heard her mother was a Santerre maid.”
“That’s right. When the maid had the baby Titus didn’t want any part of either mother or baby and paid the maid to go away. When she planned to put the baby up for adoption, the grandmother, Madeline Santerre, Titus’s mother, adopted her. Thus Caitlin became a Santerre and was raised by Grandmother Santerre. She’s told me that Will was never kind to her.”
“That can’t surprise you.”
“Nope. Will is mean through and through. Caitlin is not one bit like Will. She’s worrying about the people who worked for Madeline. As far as I can tell, she doesn’t have any meanness or selfishness in her.”
“Caitlin Santerre. All I remember is a little kid,” Gabe said as they entered the study and Jake sat in a leather chair.
“Not so little. I’m taking her to dinner tonight.”
“Caitlin? How old is she? I think of her as twelve at the most.”
“When you were having birthdays, Caitlin was having birthdays. She’s twenty-eight.”
“Damn. Twenty-eight? I don’t remember seeing her around these parts since she was little.” Gabe hooked one knee over the arm of the chair and let his booted foot dangle while he studied Jake. “Why are you taking her to dinner? Why didn’t you just tell her no and be on your way?”
“She’s beautiful. I want the evening with her.”
Gabe’s eyebrows arched. “You’ve hated the Santerres, particularly since Brittany’s death. What’s the deal here—a little revenge by seducing a Santerre?”
“No. Will doesn’t care a thing about her. No revenge there. I just want the evening with her.”
Gabe’s eyes narrowed as he stared at his brother. “That one I can’t figure. You know plenty of beautiful women. You hate the Santerres with a passion. Is there anything you’re not telling me?”
“Not a thing. If you could see her, you’d know why I want to go out with her.”
Gabe shook his head. “You’re not convincing me. I’ve seen you fight with Will. I’ve seen you try to beat him in sports. I’ve heard you call him names and complain about him. You don’t like any of them. There’s something else.”
“Nope.”
Gabe became silent and Jake waited patiently for his answers to soak in with his brother.
“Tell her no you won’t sell and get on with your life,” Gabe said finally. “You’re not going to go out often with the woman or have a relationship with her.”
“I’ll tell her no soon. Probably this week at the office, but tonight, I’m taking her out. If it goes well tonight, I might put her off for a week and go out with her next weekend.”
“I can’t believe I’m hearing this,” Gabe said. “You’re sure she isn’t going to talk you into selling back to her?”
“Fairly positive.”
“Then why the maps and descriptions and pictures?”
“If you must know, she’s gaining some of my sympathy. I started out avoiding a definite rejection because I wanted to go out with her. She’s gorgeous.”
“So you said,” Gabe remarked dryly.
“Now, I’m listening to her. If you don’t find oil, it doesn’t seem such a big deal to sell a patch of land and the old house to her if we retain rights. If you find oil, that house and everyone living in it will be in the way.”
“The more you get to know her, the more likely you are to do what she wants.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. I don’t intend to sell if you find oil.”
“That’s good because that house of hers may be in the middle of a very lucrative field. I think it is. Before too many more days, we’ll know if I’m right.”
“I hope you are,” Jake said.
“If I am, you won’t want her owning any part of the ranch. We’ll want to drill where we can get oil. We have to have trucks able to get in and out. I’m puzzled, but okay. I know you’re not going all soft over a Santerre. No way is that happening.”
“I’m just thinking about it and waiting to hear something decisive from you,” Jake said and Gabe smiled.
“I hope I have news for you soon,” Gabe remarked. He stood. “I’ve got to run. I’m flying back to Fort Worth to meet some guys for dinner.”
Jake walked to the porch with Gabe. “See you in Dallas.”
When his brother was gone, Jake returned to the study to look at the papers Gabe had delivered to him. He hated Will with a passion, disliked Will’s father. Why bother selling to Caitlin? He wasn’t ready to get her out of his life yet. Erotic images of Caitlin in his bed set his heart drumming.
He had asked to see the house and property because he was stalling to hear from Gabe about oil before he was forced to give her an answer, yet she had wanted to show him the house and everything else, playing on his sympathy.
She had tried to familiarize him with the house and property so it would not seem impersonal and easy to dispose of. He had allowed her to because the more he was with her, the more he wanted to be with her and to seduce her.
As she had led the way from room to room, he had watched the gentle sway of her hips. He wanted her in his arms in his bed. His blood heated at the thought of tonight. Seduce her, spend time with her and then tell her no.
Would
